How to Prepare Your High School Kid for College #JourneytoCollege

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Kaplan Test Prep. I received compensation to write this post, and any opinions expressed are my own, and reflect my actual experience.

After one daughter who has already finished college and grad school, I can tell you how hard it is to prepare your high school kid for college. She did very well in school and could have gone to pretty much any school she wanted. Even so, the planning was overwhelming. But, as a parent who wants the best for my daughters, I did the best I could.

Now, I have another daughter in high school. She’ll be starting 10th grade soon. I wouldn’t even have thought to start planning for college until 11th grade. As I read the KapMap, from Kaplan’s college planning website, I learned that preparing for college should start in 9th grade. We need to get a move on!

I thought that your kid took their college admission tests, found a few colleges they want to attend, filled out applications and waited to see who accepted you (which is overwhelming enough). But, there’s so much more to do that it makes sense then to get started early and to be organized.

Tips to Prepare for College

Start and keep a good relationship with your guidance counselor. This is one of the most important people to help with college planning.

Keep up good grades. Grades do matter to colleges.

Volunteer and take part in extracurricular activities. This will be important on your college applications.

Keep track of college prep tests. Take the PSAT, the practice SAT and re-take tests if your scores were low.

Make sure your social media profile is one that college admission officers can look at.

Work with your guidance counselor to take the best course load, some honor classes, etc.

Attend college fairs, visit colleges, and learn about college admission forms, essays and interviews, etc.

Research about scholarships, and fill out financial aid forms.

The KapMap puts all of this and a lot more into an easy to follow process in calendar form. It sure helped me, especially with information that I had no idea was needed to prepare for college. You can download it for free.

Save $100 when you enroll in a SAT or ACT course from 8/11-8/28.* Use code: SHESPEAKS100.

Living in the Tampa Bay area, I'm lucky enough to see beautiful sunsets almost every day. Although life can be difficult at times, focusing on the positive and being with my family is what gets me through.

I may receive monetary compensation or other types of compensation for my endorsement, recommendation, and links to any products or services from this blog. This site may contain affiliate marketing links, which means I may receive a commission on sales of those products or services that we write about. The editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. I always provide you with my own thoughts, concerns, and recommendations about the subject matter on this blog. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255.5: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Connect With Me:

Looking for Something?

The Author:

Jenn is from Upstate, SC, and loves that she gets to work from home to be with her two little girls. Jenn has been happily married to her very own Superman, Ben, for over a decade, and spends her time reading, writing short stories, doing freelance work and blogging, crafting, riding motorcycles, watching Clemson football, and enjoying life with her family. Read More…